Spindle-bearing.



PATENTD JUNE 2, 1903.

fNo. 729,777.

Ci E. LOVEJOY. SPINDLE BEARING. APPLIGTION HLD PEB. 12. 190s.

No MODEL;

UNITED STATES CHARLES E. LOVEJOY, OF LOWELL, MASSAOHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE Patented June 2, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

HALF TO SAWYER SPINDLE COMPANY, OF MAINE. p

BEARING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 729,777, dated June?, 1903.

Application tiled February 12, 1903; Serial No. 143.063. (No model.)

To aZZ whom t 1v1/ay concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. LovEJoY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lowell, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Spindle-Bearings, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying posed between the bolster and bolster-case,

the braided tube constituting the packing being pulled onto the reduced portion of the bolster and securelyr tied at top and bottom. Such packing or cushion has when new substantially no elasticity, and after being in use for a short time it loses what littlecushioning action it everpossessed, as with the oil it packs down into ahard and practically unyielding covering, and unless it is promptly renewed the spindle will vibrate objection-V ably, causingbreakage of ends.- The renewal of the packing is a tedious matter, and it must be performed frequently in order to enable' 1 the spindle to run properly.

My present invention provides a simple,

' cheap, and durable'lateral cushion for the bolster and which will retain its elasticity for a long time, the cushion being readily applied to or removed fronr the bolster when necessary.

ln accordance with my invention the cushion is made from a blank out or stamped from' suitable spring sheet metal and bent to shape to present an annular eXpansible neck and a plurality of longitudinally and `outwardly curved resilient fingers extended from the neck. The neckgrips the bolster by frictional engagement therewith and the depending fingers surround the lower part of the bolster, their tips `resting upon its exterior,

the outwardly curved or bowed portions of the fingers engaging the interior of the surrounding bolster-case when the lower end of the spindle moves laterally, acting as a cushion of much delicacy, but having very high efIiciency. By such construction the spindle will run very softly, the jar or shock is reduced to a minimum, and in the case of a bent spindle the cushion will `very efectually and quickly cause it to find and rotate on its dead-center, centering the load at all times and making the spindle run steadily without 1 chattering or vibration. y l have also devised a bolster-lock of an extremely simple, novel, and efficient character, requiring no care on the part of the operative when inserting the bolster in the bolster-case and acting to lock the bolster from rotation therein, but in a yielding or elastic manner.

The bolster-cushion is so constructed as to l prevent relative rotation of the bolster and l spindle-stop, and herein the construction and arrangement of the parts is such that the bolster-lock, bolster, step, and bolster-cush ion can by a single operation be removed from lor inserted in the bolster-case as an entirety, lthereby greatly facilitating handling and ob gviating careful positioning of the parts in order to eifect the locking of the bolster, as

has been necessary heretofore.

The various novel features of my invention will be hereinafter des cribed, and particularly ,pointed out in the following claims.

' Figure l `is a partial vertical sectional view of aspindle-bearing with one embodiment of fmy invention applied thereto, the spindle, its step, the bolster, bolster-lock, and lateral ,cushion being'shown in elevation. Fig. 2 is a Qvew in elevation of the bolster, spindle-step, ,bolster-cushion, and bolster-lock removed ifrom" the bolster case and turned partly `around from the position shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View on the line from the lower end of the bolster. Fig. is fa view 4in elevation of the bolster cushion and lock detached. Fig. 5 is a top or plan view thereof, and Fig. 6 is a view of the blank from `which the bolster cushion and lock are made.

The spindle l, having a tapered pintle 'and v `provided with a `sleeve-whirl 2, is of wellknown construction, `the spindle being rotatably mounted in and supported by a bolster 3, `internally tapered, as in Fig. 3, to receive the "correspondingly-tapered pintle of the spinroo e. le

dle. The bolster has an externally-cylindrical bearing portion 4, located in the plane of the band-pull, and having the usual running fit in the adjacent concentric portion of th'e bore 5 vof the bolster-case 6, the bore, as shown in Fig. l, having a longitudinal depression or groove 7 fora purpose to be described. The bolster is externally tapered ,above and below the bearing portion, so that abodily tippin movement of the bolster may take place on or about the bearing portion 4, due to movement of the spindle centering itself under an unbalanced load, the downwardly-tapered part of the bolster terminating in an annular shoulder 9, from which the bolster is externally cylindrical, as at 10, to its lower end. The bolster is internally threaded at 1l, Fig.- 3, tov receive the correspondingly-threaded portion 12 of the spindle-step 125 to adjustably connect the latter to the bolster, substantially as in United States Patent No. 608,976, the step resting on the fiat bottom of the bolster-case and having one or more external longitudinal grooves 14.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the bolster is provided with usual oil-holes 15 and an external longitudinal groove 16, which, as in Figs. 2 and 3, is shown as terminating at the shoulder 9.

In accordance with my present invention the lateral cushion for the bolster comprises an annular expansible neck 17 and a plurality of spring or resilient elongated fingers 18, extended therefrom and bowed or outwardly convexed longitudinally, one of the fingers, as 18X, being shown as longer than its fellows, while the neck is provided with an elongated upturned finger or projection 19 at its upper edge. The tips of the fingers 1S are concentric with the neck, and when the cushion is .applied the neck is slipped over the cylindric'al part 10 of the bolster up to the shoulder 9, the projection or finger 19 entering the groove 16 to prevent rotative movement of the cushion upon the bolster,the neck hugging the latter and being held thereon by frictional engagement, while the tips of the fingers 18 bear upon the lower part of the bolster. The longer finger 1S enters the groove 14 in the spindle-step and serves as a yielding lock to prevent rotation thereof relative to the bolster. The outwardly bowed or convexed portions of the fingers are interposed between the lower portion of the bolster and the adjacent surrounding portion of the bolster-case, and bodily tipping of the bolster is softly and yieldingly resisted by the fingers, which tend to flatten more or less when pressed against the inner wall of the bolster-case. I have herein shown the bore of the latter enlarged,

the latter may be used in connection with a bolster-case which is not enlarged internally at its lower end. The upturned elongated projection or finger 19 is bowed or outwardly convexed longitudinally at its upper end, as at-19 so as to extend laterally beyond the bolster, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the tip of the finger resting lightly on the bottom of the groove 16.

When the bolster and its attached cushion are inserted in the bolster-case, the convexed part 19 of the spring-finger 19 is attened somewhat by thev pressure thereupon of the inner wall ofthe-bore 5 until by a rotative movement of the bolstersaid finger is brought opposite the groove vor depression 7. Thereupon the convexed part 19 expands and en- -ters the latter, locking the bolster from rotation.

It will be manifest that it is unnecessary for the operative to bring the spring lockingfinger opposite the groove 7 when inserting the bolster, as when the spindle begins to rotate the bolster will be turned by friction until the locking-finger is brought opposite to and enters such groove or depression.

By the yielding or elastic lock thus provided for the bolster I entirely obviate any possibility of wedging the same in the bolster-case or making too tight a fit, while rotation of the bolster is effectually prevented.

The cushion is cut, stamped, or otherwise produced from thin spring sheet metal to form a blank, as shown in Fig. 6, the part 20 thereof being thereafter bent to form the annular expansible neck, and the extensions 21 of the blank are convexed or bowed outwardly to form the fingers 18 and 18 of the cushion and the spindle-step lock, respectively. the opposite edge of the part 2O the extension 22 is afterward bent to form the bolster locking-finger, as described.

It will bermanifest that the cushion can be instantly applied to or removed from a bolster by a simple sliding movement, and being of elastic or resilient metal it will last for a long time, its elasticity being unaffected in any way by the oil employed for lubrication.

By making the cushion as hereinbefore described I am able to secure a spring'action or resilience of great delicacy and softness, so that while jarring or shocks are prevented by the cushion there is no improper interference with the lateral movement of the lower end of the spindle when running at speed and finding its proper center of rotation.

The tips of the spring-fingers rest very lightly on the bolster and by reason of the long curve of each finger the spring action is light, While quickly responsive.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A sleeve-whirl spindle, abolster therefor having an externally-cylindrical bearing portion in the plane of the band-pull, a spindlestep having a threaded portion to engage the IOO lower end of the bolster, abolster-case, and a yielding, lateral bolster-cushion' comprising an annular expansible neck in frietional en- `@agement with the bolster below its bearing portion, and a plurality of longitudinally and outwardly convened, depending resilient fingers integral with the neck, one of said fingers being elongated to engage the spindle-step and form a lock between it and the bolster.

2. A sleeve-whirl spindle, a bolster therefor having a bearing portion in the plane ofthe band-pull, a spindle-step having a threaded portion to engage the lower end of the bolster, a bolster-case, having the lower portion of its bore enlarged to permit lateral movement of the lower end of the bolster and the step, and a yielding lateral cushion interposed between the lower end of the bolster and bolster-case, said cushion consisting of a plurality of longitudinally and outwardly convexed, depending resilient fingers connected at their upper ends and secured to the bolster below its bearing portion, the lower, free ends of the fin gers resting lightly upon thebolster.

A sleeve-whirl spindle, a bolster therefor having an externally-cylindrical bearing portion in the plane vof the band-pull, a spindlestep having a threaded portion to engage the lower end of the bolster, a bolster-case, having the lower portion of its bore enlarged to permit lateral movement of the lower end of the bolster and the step, and a yielding lateral cushion interposed between the lower end of the bolster and bolster-case, said cushion consisting of a plurality of longitudinally and outwardly conveXed, depending resilient iingers connected at their upper ends and secured to the bolster below its bearing portion, one of the fingers being elongated to yieldingly engage the step and lock the same from rotation relatively to the bolster.

4. A sleeve-whirl spindle, a bolster therefor having an externally-cylindrical bearing portion in the plane of the band-pull, a spindle-step having a threaded portion to engage the lower end of the bolster, a bolster-case,

having the lower portion of its bore enlarged to permit lateral movement of the lower end of the bolster and the step, and a yielding lateral cushion interposed between the lower end of the bolster and bolster-case, said cushion consisting of an annular metallic neck surrounding and in frictional engagement with the bolster below its bearing portion, and

a plurality of longitudinallyand outwardly convexed resilient fingers integral with and depending from the neck, the free ends only of the fingers resting upon the bolster adjacent its lower end and one of said lingers being elongated to engage and `prevent rotation of the step.

5. A sleeve-whirl spindle, a bolster therefor having an externally-cylindrical bearing portion in the plane of the band-pull, a spindle-step having a threaded portion to engage the lower end of the bolster, the latter having an external. annularshoulder and a notch'bef low the bearing portion, a bolster-case, and

case, said cushion comprising a spring-neck surrounding the bolster below and adjacent the shoulder thereof and having an upturned projection to enter the'notch, and a series of longitudinally and outwardly bowed resilient fingers secured to and depending from the neck andsurrounding the lower end of the bolster, one of the lingers being elongated beyond itsfellows to engage the spindle-step and form a yielding lock between it and the bolster.

6. A Vbolster case having a longitudinal groove in its bore, a bolster having an external groove, and an elongated elastic lockingiinger having its ends located in the groove of the bolster and fixedly secured at one of its ends on the bolster, the iin ger near its free end being bent outward to enter the groovein the bolster-case and prevent rotation of the bolstertherein.

7. A bolster for spinning-spindles having an external longitudinal groove, a springneck to embrace the bolster at the lower end of the groove, and an elongated elastic locking-finger communicating with the neck and extending` therefrom into the groove, the portion of the finger between its free upper end and the part lying within the groove being bent to project laterally beyond the bolster and form a lock therefor.

S. A bolster-case having a longitudinal depression or groove in its bore,` a bolster adapted to be inserted in the bolster-case and having an external longitudinal groove and a yielding, laterally-projecting locking-finger seated for a portion of its length in the bolster-groove and at one end fixedly secured on the bolster, the laterally-projecting part of the iinger at its other end being adapted to enter the depression or groove in the bolstercase and prevent rotation of the bolstei` therein.

1 i). A bolster, a spindle-step connected with the lower end thereof,`a yielding, lateral bolster-cushion mounted onthe bolster below its bearing portion and having a" lock to prevent rotation of thebolster in the bolster- 11;. A sleeve-whirl spindle,a bolster having a bearing portion in the plane oftliebandpull, a spindle-step mounted `on thelower end of the bolster, a bolster-case having the lower portion of its bore' enlarged to permit in the lateral movement of the lower end of the bolster and the step, a yielding lateral cushion interposed between the lower end of the bolster and bolster-case and laterally movable with the former, and an elastic locking device forming aconnected part of the cushion and serving to prevent rotation of the bolster in the bolster-caseA l2. A bolster for spinning-spindles, a spindle-step connected with the lower end thereof, a yielding lateral cushion carried by and surroundingI the lower end of the bolster below its bearing portion, and a laterally-yielding locking-finger integral with said cushion and positioned on the upper portion of the bolster,to prevent its rotation when inserted in a bolster-case.

13. A yielding lateral cushion for spindleholsters, comprising an annular expansible neck to frictionally engage the bolster and having a plurality of integral, longitudinally and outwardly convexed, depending' resilient lingers adapted to rest lightly at their tips upon the lower end of the bolster, and an upturned, elongated resilient lockingiinger on the neck and bowed outwardly near its upper end.

14. An integral locking device for the supports of spinning-spindles, one portion of said device forming a lock between the bolster and bolster-case, and another portion of said device engaging and preventing rotation of the spindle-step relatively to the bolster.

l5. A locking device for the supports of spinning-spindles adapted to be connected with the bolstelcase and having two integral arms, one engaging1 the bolster and the other the spindle-step whereby the bolster and step are held from rotation within the bolster-case and also from relative rotation.

16. A bolster-case, a bolster, a connected spindle-step, and a locking device having two integral members one of which forms a lock between the bolster and bolster-case, the other member engaging and preventing rotation'of the step relatively to the bolster.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES E. LOVEJOY.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. WILSON, CHAs. H. MCIMIREi 

